How to easily access the results of a LINQ-to-SQL query

I have introduced several developers to LINQ-to-SQL and each has been very impressed, immediately followed by the same question. I'll share the question and the answer here.

I show a standard LINQ-to-SQL query and assign the results to a DataGridView as the Datasource. This is consistent with most introductory examples. Think of it as the LINQ-to-SQL version of Hello World.

The next question is inevitably some variation of "OK, now how do I use the data that LINQ returned?".

The answer is simply to convert it to a Generic List with the LINQ "ToList" extension method.

A fully functional code sample will help make it clear.

Dim dbConn as string = "Server=(local);Database=AdventureWorks;" & _
"Trusted_Connection=yes;"

Dim dbx As New System.Data.Linq.DataContext(dbConn)

Dim Promo1 = _
From emp In dbx.GetTable(Of HumanResources_Employee)() _
Where emp.Gender = "M" _
Order By emp.Person_Contact.LastName, emp.Person_Contact.FirstName _
Select emp


Me.DataGridView1.DataSource = Promo1


'Promo1 is of type DatabaseQuery1
Dim PromoList = Promo1.ToList


MessageBox.Show(String.Format("Third Person's Name is {0}, {1}", _
PromoList(2).Person_Contact.LastName, _
PromoList(2).Person_Contact.FirstName))

Hope that helps.

Joe Kunk
Okemos, MI